3AM ET 01/20/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: 3AM ET 01/20/2026 Newscast
Date: January 20, 2026
Host: Ted Lindner (FOX News Podcasts)

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers a rapid-fire roundup of major breaking news stories both in the U.S. and globally as of January 20, 2026. The main focus circles U.S.-Iranian tensions, domestic protest responses, major developments in U.S. immigration enforcement, landmark sports news, President Trump’s controversial Greenland gambit, and diplomatic moves in U.K.-U.S. relations.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Escalating Tensions Between U.S. and Iran

[00:03]

• Summary:
  The episode opens with reports on intense unrest in Iran. Over 4,000 protester deaths have been reported, sparking combative rhetoric between Iranian and U.S. leaders.
• Details:
  • Ayatollah Ali Khamenei blames President Trump for the ongoing upheaval.
    • Quote: "[Ayatollah] declaring President Trump is responsible for the upheaval." – Greg Palkot [00:15]
  • President Trump retorts, suggesting Iran needs "new leadership" and delivers strong words in a recent interview.
  • Iranian President asserts that criticism of Iran’s Supreme Leader could be considered an act of war.
  • Iranian state TV was hacked by activists, featuring a message from the exiled son of the late Shah, urging military forces to stand down.
  • The U.S. deploys the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group, now almost at the region and "ready to respond if the White House calls for it." – Greg Palkot [00:15]

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2. Domestic Unrest and U.S. Military Readiness

[00:52]

• Summary:
  The protests within Iran mirror unrest stateside in Minneapolis with anti-ICE demonstrations escalating security measures.
• Details:
  • President Trump is reportedly weighing military action in response to Minneapolis protests.
  • Governor Tim Walz has mobilized the Minnesota National Guard.
  • 1,500 troops from the 11th Airborne are "ready to deploy" if the Insurrection Act is invoked, though President Trump says it isn’t necessary "yet."
    • Quote: "1500 troops with the 11th Airborne have been given ready to deploy orders should President Trump invoke the Insurrection act..." – Jonathan Hunt [01:03]
  • Local Minneapolis leaders call the potential military involvement "unconstitutional."
    • Quote: "Local leaders in Minneapolis meanwhile, have decried the suggestion of military involvement as unconstitutional." – Jonathan Hunt [01:33]

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3. Immigration Enforcement & Legal Rulings

[01:40]

• Summary:
  Continued focus on immigration policy and enforcement.
• Details:
  • Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem states 3,000 "illegal immigrants" have been arrested.
  • A federal judge limits ICE’s ability to arrest protesters or use "less lethal" weapons—a restriction defied by federal commanders.
  • CBP commander Gregory Bevino declares, "agents will continue using those weapons."
    • Quote: "CBP commander at large Gregory Bevino said agents will continue using those weapons." – Ted Lindner [01:40]

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4. Major Sports Update: Indiana University Victory

[02:40]

• Summary:
  Big news in college football, anchoring a rare moment of sports triumph for Indiana.
• Details:
  • Indiana Hoosiers win their first-ever national championship, defeating the Miami Hurricanes 27-21, concluding an undefeated 16-0 season.
    • Quote: "The Hoosiers taking down the Miami Hurricanes 27-21... punctuating an unbeaten 16. 0 season with the title." – Ted Lindner [02:40]

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5. The Greenland Controversy

[03:01]

• Summary:
  President Trump reignites his ambitions to purchase Greenland, launching new tariffs and provoking international tension.
• Details:
  • President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are facing a host of foreign policy issues (Davos, Venezuela, Canada’s alignment with China), but the Greenland issue is highlighted as most controversial.
  • NATO countries dispatching troops to Greenland are threatened with a 10% U.S. tariff beginning February 1st, escalating to 25% in June if the purchase doesn't happen.
    • Quote: "NATO countries who've decided to send a few dozen troops over to Greenland, well, they're going to get hit by with a 10% tariff..." – Jonathan Hunt [03:01]
  • Countries respond with threats of a "trade bazooka" to block the U.S. acquisition of Greenland.
  • President Trump does not rule out military action regarding Greenland.

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6. U.K.-U.S. Diplomatic Relations & Speaker Johnson’s Visit

[03:58]

• Summary:
  Diplomatic protocol and strained international relations come to the fore as House Speaker Mike Johnson visits the U.K.
• Details:
  • Speaker Mike Johnson addresses the British Parliament at a challenging time for U.S.-U.K. relations, with British politicians united against Trump’s Greenland bid.
  • Johnson emphasizes diplomacy and historic partnership:
    • Quote: "[He] declared himself honored and humbled, adding the two nations have stood together as pillars of peace and security across generations." – Jonathan Savage [03:58]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declaring President Trump is responsible for the upheaval." – Greg Palkot [00:15]
• "1500 troops with the 11th Airborne have been given ready to deploy orders should President Trump invoke the Insurrection act..." – Jonathan Hunt [01:03]
• "CBP commander at large Gregory Bevino said agents will continue using those weapons." – Ted Lindner [01:40]
• "The Hoosiers taking down the Miami Hurricanes 27-21... punctuating an unbeaten 16. 0 season with the title." – Ted Lindner [02:40]
• "NATO countries who've decided to send a few dozen troops over to Greenland, well, they're going to get hit by with a 10% tariff..." – Jonathan Hunt [03:01]
• "...the two nations have stood together as pillars of peace and security across generations." – Jonathan Savage [03:58]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:03 – Iran unrest, U.S. tensions, Ayatollah & Trump exchange
• 00:52 – Iran protests’ roots, Iranian State TV hack, military posturing
• 01:03 – Minneapolis anti-ICE protests, military readiness, federal vs. local authority
• 01:40 – Immigration enforcement stats, legal battle over ICE arrest powers
• 02:40 – Indiana Hoosiers college football triumph
• 03:01 – Trump’s Greenland acquisition push, NATO tariffs, trade retaliation threats
• 03:58 – Speaker Mike Johnson’s U.K. visit; U.S.-U.K. relations
• 04:34 – Episode wrap (before ad and unrelated promo)

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Summary

This briskly-paced Fox News Update delivers crucial details on global and domestic crises, highlights extraordinary sports achievements, and reveals fresh international diplomatic friction. It’s a snapshot of a tense, fast-moving news cycle, notable for the intertwining of military action, civil unrest, bold presidential moves, and international disputes. The tone is immediate and urgent, matching the gravity and speed of the news.

Transcript

[Ted Lindner]

Tensions with Iran continue to rise. I'm Ted Lindner, FOX News. Tensions rising between the US And Iran over massive protests and the killing of protesters. More than 4,000 dead. Fox's Greg Palkot with more Iranian leader.

[Greg Palkot]

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declaring President Trump is responsible for the upheaval. Trump firing back in an interview saying Iran needs new leadership. The Iranian president posting that an attack on the supreme leader is tantamount to war. To top it off, activists hacked into Iran state TV and posted a message from the exiled son of the late deposed Shah of Iran calling on security forces to lay down their arms as the military pressure looms. According to new reports, the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group is now within days of the region ready to respond if the White House calls for it.

[Ted Lindner]

The protests first began over an economic crisis in the country. President Trump considering a military response to anti ICE protests in Minneapolis after Minnesot Governor Tim Walls mobilized the state's National Guard forces.

[Jonathan Hunt]

Fox's Jonathan Hunt 1500 troops with the 11th Airborne have been given ready to deploy orders should President Trump invoke the Insurrection act and send in the military to restore order. The president most recently said he didn't think that was necessary. Yet. The lead Border Patrol agent on the ground says federal agents have the situation under control.

[Greg Palkot]

Several thousand law enforcement agents here and we're conducting that Title 8 immigration mission unabated.

[Jonathan Hunt]

Local leaders in Minneapolis, meantime, have decried the suggestion of military involvement as unconstitutional.

[Ted Lindner]

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says agents have arrested 3,000 illegal immigrants. A federal judge last week restricted ICE from arresting protesters or using so called less lethal weapons. CBP commander at large Gregory Bevino said agents will continue using those weapons. America's listening to Fox News.

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[Ted Lindner]

The Indiana football team's won its first ever national championship, the Hoosiers taking down the Miami Hurricanes 2721 in the college Football Playoff national championship game that happened Monday night, punctuating an unbeaten 16. 0 season with the title. President Trump using his favorite tool again Album acquire Greenland. But will it work? Fox's Kevin Cork explains from Washington.

[Jonathan Hunt]

President Trump and the Secretary of State Marco Rubio obviously have a lot on their plates right now. Davos, Venezuela, Canada's apparent turn toward China. But nothing is as hot, ironically, as the fate of the icy cold island of Greenland. The president said that those NATO countries who've decided to send a few dozen troops over to Greenland, well, they're going to get hit by with a 10% tariff on all goods sent to the US beginning the 1st of February. So that means Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK the Netherlands, Finland, you're all on notice. By the way, that fee goes up to 25% in June. That is, of course, until the US is able to buy the island.

[Ted Lindner]

Those countries threatening to retaliate with a so called trade bazooka to shut down the president's Greenland goals. The president has also not ruled out US Military action in Greenland. House Speaker Mike Johnson addressing the British Parliament today. Fox's Jonathan Savage with more on that from London.

[Jonathan Savage / Ainsley Earhart]

Mike Johnson visits the palace of Westminster at a time when relations between the United States and the United Kingdom are strained. British politicians are united in opposing President Trump's desire to acquire Greenland. Speaker Johnson this week saying diplomatic channels are the way to go. He'll address British lawmakers today to mark the USA's 250th anniversary. He's declared himself honored and humbled, adding the two nations have stood together as pillars of peace and security across generations. In London, Jonathan Savage, FOX News and I'm Ted Lindner.

[Ted Lindner]

This is FOX News.

[Jonathan Savage / Ainsley Earhart]

This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the.

[Ted Lindner]

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